Mountain Play: a full-day family event

When my friend Tanya suggested we bring our kids to the Mill Valley Mountain Play, I said sure. A musical performance of the Wizard of Oz atop Mount Tamalpais? Sounds fabulous. We got our tickets and I put it on the calendar.

The week before the show, which we attended on Sunday, Tanya kept sending emails and calling about plans. “When do you want to leave?” “Should we take the shuttle bus?” “Did you know that you can hike there?”

I sort of ignored her. “It’s only a play,” I thought.

I was wrong. The Mountain Play is a full-day extravaganza and thousands of families from all over the Bay Area make an annual pilgrimage to the top of Mount Tam to partake in its festivities. They hike, bike, and take shuttle buses, arriving as early as 7 a.m. They haul giant coolers filled with deviled eggs, Caesar salads, and bottles of wine. They stuff backpacks with jackets, hats, and sunscreen so they’re prepared for sunny and foggy weather. They stake out an area on the Greek-style amphitheater, spread out their picnic blankets, and spend the entire day hanging out on the hillside eating, socializing, and taking in views of the glittering bay.

We arrived about an hour and a half before show time–much too late. The place was packed, and people had already staked out all the seats in the shade. Luckily, Tanya and her daughter arrived a bit earlier and saved us seats with clear views of the stage.

Before the show a carnival-like atmosphere takes over and there are stalls selling food, puppet shows, face painting, and a costume contest. My kids simply wanted to sit in the sun and watch the action.

The actual performance starts at 1 p.m. and it’s wonderful. My daughter was mesmerized by the 16-year-old who plays Dorothy and sounds just like Judy Garland; my son liked the silly scarecrow and “not-too-scary” lion; and I enjoyed hearing all the songs that I knew from the movie that I watched countless times as a child.

If you go, and I recommend that you do, pack a picnic, bring clothes for hot and cold weather, and, most importantly, plan to devote the entire day to the event.

Tickets are still available for performances on June 1, 7, 8, and 15. Tickets $24-$39. (415) 383-1100, www.mountainplay.org.